theRogueRooster
First Post
I'll be discussing elements of Episode I of Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Here be spoilers.
This Saturday my group will be starting our first foray into 5E with HotDQ. I've got a fairly large group of eight players. For the start of the campaign, half of the characters will start in a tavern, while the other half are rushing to town to warn of an imminent assault by kobolds and other forces following close behind, unaware that the town is already under attack. The two groups of players will meet up shortly thereafter and presumably make their way to the keep.
Once the players reach the keep, I want to give them the option of splitting up to tackle multiple missions simultaneously. Specifically, as Nighthill briefs the party about rescuing the fine citizens holed up in the temple (Sanctuary), a messenger runs up to the governor to inform him of the trouble at the mill (Save the Mill). Both the temple and the mill are in danger, but there's only time to save one. The party can choose to save one or the other, or split and attempt both.
The hook for the temple is easy. Many of the town's healers were in the temple when the raid began. If rescued, they can provide much needed healing for the party and the beleaguered defenders.
I'm having trouble coming up with as compelling a hook for the mill. Sure, the flour is in danger and if lost, the villagers may go hungry come wintertime. But that's a far-off danger, not an imminent one. Any ideas for a hook with more urgency? Why does the mill need saving, and why does it need saving right now? What immediate benefit could saving the mill bestow to the defense of the village?
Thanks for the help!
-tRR
This Saturday my group will be starting our first foray into 5E with HotDQ. I've got a fairly large group of eight players. For the start of the campaign, half of the characters will start in a tavern, while the other half are rushing to town to warn of an imminent assault by kobolds and other forces following close behind, unaware that the town is already under attack. The two groups of players will meet up shortly thereafter and presumably make their way to the keep.
Once the players reach the keep, I want to give them the option of splitting up to tackle multiple missions simultaneously. Specifically, as Nighthill briefs the party about rescuing the fine citizens holed up in the temple (Sanctuary), a messenger runs up to the governor to inform him of the trouble at the mill (Save the Mill). Both the temple and the mill are in danger, but there's only time to save one. The party can choose to save one or the other, or split and attempt both.
The hook for the temple is easy. Many of the town's healers were in the temple when the raid began. If rescued, they can provide much needed healing for the party and the beleaguered defenders.
I'm having trouble coming up with as compelling a hook for the mill. Sure, the flour is in danger and if lost, the villagers may go hungry come wintertime. But that's a far-off danger, not an imminent one. Any ideas for a hook with more urgency? Why does the mill need saving, and why does it need saving right now? What immediate benefit could saving the mill bestow to the defense of the village?
Thanks for the help!
-tRR
